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Modest vs Diffidence - What's the difference?

modest | diffidence |

As an adjective modest

is not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble.

As a noun diffidence is

the state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.

modest

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble.
  • Small, moderate in size.
    • He earns a modest amount of money.
    Her latest novel was a modest success.
  • (especially of behaviour or clothing) Avoiding being sexually suggestive.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * See also * See also

    Antonyms

    * immodest

    Derived terms

    * modest proposal * modesty

    diffidence

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
  • * 1857 , Brigham Young, Journal of Discources'', ''
    • I have the same diffidence in my feelings that most public speakers have, and am apt to think that others can speak better and more edifying than I can.
  • * 1897 , '' (an excerpt from ''Sotileza )
    • "I was passing by," he began to stammer, trembling with his diffidence , "I—happened to be passing along this way, and so—er—as I was passing this way, I says to myself, says I, 'I'll just stop into the shop a minute.'
  • (obsolete) Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something.
  • * 1591 , William Shakespeare, , act 3 scene 3
    • [Charles, King of France]: We have been guided by thee hitherto,
    And of thy cunning had no diffidence :
    One sudden foil shall never breed distrust.